What are the responsibilities and job description for the FST Operations Manager position at Red Rocks Community College?
Red Rocks Community College exemplifies extraordinary. We are dedicated to our Vision and Mission, which promote student achievement, staff empowerment, and community engagement. We live our values: Integrity, Collaboration, Learning, Inclusiveness, and Communication.
RRCC seeks applicants who understand and have first-hand experience working with diverse populations, which may include but are not limited to, historically marginalized populations such as people of color, LGBTQ community members, veterans, first generation graduates, and people with disabilities.
Summary of Position
Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) seeks a strategic and detail-oriented Operations Manager to lead the administrative and operational functions of its Fire Science Department. This pivotal role supports the department’s mission of delivering high-quality fire service education and training, particularly as the Fire Academy transitions back under exclusive RRCC management. The Operations Manager will be responsible for overseeing daily operations, coordinating program logistics, maintaining compliance with state and national accrediting bodies, and supervising support staff. Key responsibilities include managing the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) Records Management System (RMS), supporting instructor credentialing, overseeing the maintenance and compliance of fire apparatus and equipment, and acting as a liaison with industry partners and accrediting agencies. This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to regulatory detail, and the ability to balance multiple priorities while supporting students, faculty, and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate will bring experience in higher education or public safety training environments, demonstrate excellent communication and record management skills, and contribute to a culture of operational excellence and innovation.
Top Three Characteristics for Success in the Role
Operational Leadership and Compliance Expertise – The successful candidate must demonstrate a deep understanding of operational logistics and regulatory compliance, particularly related to fire service training standards (e.g., NFPA, DFPC, IFSAC, Pro Board).
Strong Organizational and Administrative Skills – Effective coordination of complex schedules, records systems, accreditation documentation, and program logistics is critical to ensure smooth daily operations.
Collaborative Communication and Stakeholder Engagement – This role requires proactive engagement with faculty, students, accrediting bodies, and fire service agencies. Clear, professional communication and the ability to foster strong working relationships are essential.
This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt position limited to 12 months and contingent upon continued funding. This position has been exempted from the State Classified System.
Qualifications
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge of higher education operations, including administrative processes, academic policies, and institutional compliance requirements.
- Familiarity with student information systems such as Banner, Cognos, and RMS for managing student records, enrollment, and certification tracking.
- Understanding of advisement and registration procedures specific to fire academy training programs, including compliance with regulatory agencies.
- Proficiency in campus scheduling systems, e.g., AdAstra, to effectively coordinate course offerings, instructor availability, and facility usage.
- Strong record management, budget oversight, and auditing skills, ensuring accurate tracking of program finances and compliance with fiscal policies.
- Ability to manage expectations and foster collaboration between internal departments and external fire service agencies to support high-quality training programs.
- Proven ability to coordinate complex schedules, aligning instructors, students, and partner organizations to optimize training efficiency.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, with the ability to generate reports, maintain databases, and streamline administrative tasks.
- Experience with Adobe Acrobat and form creation for documentation, contract management, and electronic workflows.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ensuring clear and effective interactions with students, faculty, and external stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Public Administration, Management, Business Administration, Fire Science, Emergency Management, or a related field.
- Minimum of two years of experience in data management, including data tracking, report generation, and records administration.
- At least two years of experience supporting first responder training programs, preferably in fire service, emergency management, or public safety education.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in public safety programs within higher education, including curriculum support, compliance, and student engagement.
- Proven experience in promoting, coordinating, and supporting first responder training programs, such as fire academies, emergency management, or law enforcement education.
- Familiarity with state procurement processes and financial reconciliation, ensuring compliance with institutional and governmental policies.
- Supervisory experience managing student workers, including training, scheduling, and performance oversight.
- Demonstrated ability to develop programs, policies, and procedures to enhance operational efficiency and program effectiveness.
- Hands-on experience with student information and records management systems, such as Banner, Cognos, and RMS, for tracking enrollment, certifications, and compliance data.
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic, forward-thinking, and highly collaborative work environment, engaging with internal and external partners to drive program success and innovation.
- Demonstrated experience working in diverse communities and supporting the success of individuals from racial, ethnic, and gender backgrounds that are underrepresented
Physical & Cognitive Demands: The following are some of the physical and cognitive demands commonly associated with this position:
- Occasionally moves, positions, and transports files and office materials weighing up to 25 lbs.
- This is largely a sedentary role. This position operates in an office environment and constantly uses a computer, and routinely uses standard office equipment including phones, copiers, etc.
- The person in this position constantly communicates with internal and external constituents, employers ,and students. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
- Cognitive demands include comparing, copying, computing, compiling, analyzing, coordinating, synthesizing, negotiating, communicating, instructing, and interpersonal skills
Reasonable Accommodation Statement
Red Rocks Community College provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process and/or during the course of employment, please contact Jennifer Matthews, Executive Director of Human Resources, at (303) 914-6298 or Jennifer.Matthews@rrcc.edu.
Starting Salary
Starting salary is $56,363 to $62,000 annually commensurate with education and experience in accordance with our compensation plan. This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt position limited to 12 months and contingent upon continued funding. This position has been exempted from the State Classified System.
To Apply
All applicants must submit:
Candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications as related to the duties and responsibilities of the position. Candidates may redact any personally identifiable information on their materials including but are not limited to age, date of birth, and dates of attendance and date of graduation for educational institutions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
If you have questions regarding this position, please contact us at HR@rrcc.edu.
Notice to all Applicants
- Final candidate will be subject to successful completion of a background check, and, if applicable, a motor vehicle record review.
- Former employees of the Colorado Community College System, or one of its 13 colleges, who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination, must disclose this information in their application material.
- Final candidates are required to submit unofficial transcripts for non-instructional positions and official transcripts for instructional positions to Human Resources within thirty (30) days of hire.
- Direct deposit of payroll is a condition of employment.
- Red Rocks Community College participates in E-Verify.
- Red Rocks Community College is a tobacco and smoke-free campus.
- All RRCC employees, except student employees, contribute to Colorado PERA at a fixed percentage of their earnings and do not contribute to Social Security.
- Finalist must be willing to make Colorado their primary workplace.
RRCC/CCCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Red Rocks Community College and Colorado Community College System believes when all human qualities are regarded with dignity and respect and when everyone has access to the individualized support they need, all will have the opportunity to thrive. In all aspects of the employment process, decisions are made based on merit, competence, performance and business need without regard to sex, gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, familial status, veteran or military status, pregnancy status, marital status, religion, genetic information, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Our Accommodations and Non-Discrimination policies, plus other helpful information, can be found publicly at https://www.rrcc.edu/about-us/disclaimers-and-legal-notices.
We also believe in going further. At RRCC we have a focus on equity and belonging. We strive to create a community in which everyone feels respected and valued for their unique talents and contributions, and where people from all backgrounds are able to achieve their goals. Red Rocks Community College acknowledges that inclusion and equity are multifaceted and complex concepts, and that our efforts in these areas will require innovation, intention, and an institutional commitment to these principles, across our entire college community.
Red Rocks Community College is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). As we move toward full HSI status, we are focused on servingness and are committed to creating a learning environment where equity is expected and our Latinx students thrive.
For information regarding Red Rocks Community College Security, including Clery Act/Crime Statistics for the campuses and surrounding area, please see the https://www.rrcc.edu/about-us/disclaimers-and-legal-notices.
At RRCC, we value and uphold a commitment to a workplace that focuses on employees. In addition to rewarding and meaningful work, we offer a comprehensive selection of benefits to support our employees, including:
- Strong, flexible retirement benefits including Colorado PERA’s Defined Benefit Plan or Defined Contribution Plan. RRCC contributes 21.61% of your salary on your behalf. Supplemental retirement plans including 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans are also available.
- Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, and flexible savings benefits.
- Employee assistance services such as counseling, professional coaching, financial planning, and more, are available to you and members of your household at no cost through the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP).
- Generous paid time off benefits including up to 15 hours of annual leave and 10 hours sick leave per month, 10 paid holidays per year, and up to 18 hours for academic and volunteer activities.
- Tuition assistance for employees and their eligible dependents at any community college within the Colorado Community College System or CCCOnline.
- State employees are eligible to participate in BenefitHub which offers discounts for retailers and services and other benefits resources.
- Employees may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Salary : $56,363 - $62,000
